What is structural fabrication?
Structural fabrication is the process of making different products, mostly out of steel, by cutting, bending, and assembling raw materials. Fabricators use different methods to turn raw materials into finished products that are used in construction, manufacturing, and other applications.
Structural fabrication is very important in the construction industry because it allows for the creation of strong and long-lasting parts that are the backbone of buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure. Steel is the preferred material for construction because it is durable, heat-resistant, strong, and easy to fabricate.
Stages of Structural Steel Fabrication Process
Design Preparation
The first step in any structural fabrication process is design preparation. Clients or project heads approve project design and specifications at this stage. The draftsman can now create the Bill of Materials (BOM) and Bill of Operations (BOO) to provide the data required for procurement and production. They also release the shop drawings for fabrication.
Material Procurement
The procurement team uses the bill of material (BOM) to float inquiries. Depending on the length, the steel structure is either cut to size or conventional length. The steel is either delivered to the fabrication site or the manufacturing facility. Vendors can use Venwiz ProSource to procure structural material at competitive prices.
Steel cutting and drilling
Before drilling, structural sections have to be cut to specific dimensions mentioned in the shop drawings using circular saws, laser cutters, waterjet cutters, and plasma cutters. Structural steelwork fabricators use CNC machines to drill holes where required.
Bending and Welding
We now need to bend the steel section to the proper shape. Techniques such as section bending, roll bending, tube bending, and plate bending are used to achieve the desired shape. After that, welders use MMA or MAG welding to join the steel together.
Quality Check
After welding is complete, you need to perform quality checks to ensure the sections meet all the requirements. This may include mechanical testing, dimensional inspections, visual inspections, and non-destructive testing (NDT) to check for hidden defects and cracks.
The Indian Standard for steel fabrication is IS 800:2007, which outlines design, production, construction, safety, and quality requirements. There are also different IS standards for other components of the steel structure.
Several structural steel fabricators follow ISO standards, such as ISO 10721 (Parts 1 and 2). These standards cover the material, design, fabrication, and erection of steel structures. Both standards ensure the safety and serviceability of steel structures.
Finishing
Once the structure passes quality inspection, the structural components are sandblasted and painted. This protects it from corrosion and increases its life. The components are now ready for installation.
Delivery, assembly, and installation
Structural steelwork fabricators or erectors assemble the structure according to the specified design. The steel is brought to the location and assembled in the last phase. Components are fastened together during assembly using bolts, rivets, or welding.
They must handle the fabricated steel components carefully to prevent damage. They may use heavy-duty cranes for easy installation.
How do you find reliable structural steel fabricators?
Reliable structural fabricators are essential for safe construction and manufacturing projects. Venwiz has verified structural fabricators to help you avoid complications in your construction or manufacturing projects. Here are our top tips for choosing the best structural steel fabrication company:
Experience and track record
While looking for structural fabricators, have a track record and experience. Most structural steelwork fabricators offer a range of services, including:
- Design and construction
- Installation and site work
- Repair and maintenance
Structural fabrication is such an integral part of the project. They should have the required knowledge and skills to meet your project requirements. Look for a company that has worked on several projects across various sectors. You can also view the experience and track record on the Venwiz platform. Learn about the top clients and projects of each vendor.
Capacity and capability
For large projects, it is a good idea to visit the vendor’s premises. Make sure the company has the required equipment, manpower, and infrastructure to complete the project on time.
Do they have the capacity to deliver the project in-house? Do they have in-house quality checks? The average delivery time for structural fabrication is 7 to 12 weeks; this may vary depending on the complexity involved. Be sure to discuss the delivery schedule during the visit.
At Venwiz, all vendor profiles list their shop tools and equipment. You can schedule a visit with the vendor on our platform at your convenience.
Certification and compliance
You can select a structural fabricator that has relevant certifications. This may include certifications like ISO 9001, ISO 17001, or other industry-specific certifications.
These certificates prove adherence to established standards and procedures and a dedication to quality. Fabricators following these criteria can reduce risks and guarantee the quality of the fabricated structure.
Costs
Though cost is an important criterion for shortlisting vendors, it should not be the only factor. Consider the value you will receive in terms of quality, reliability, and on-time delivery. We at Venwiz can provide detailed comparative reports from various vendors to help you make an informed decision.
Experience and Expertise: A Glimpse into Our Top Steel Structural Fabricators
| Experience | Top Clients | Top Projects |
| Erection Manufacturing Commissioning Installing | Larson & Turbo Limited Construction KEC International Limited RPG Group Hiranandani Communities Basant Projects Thermaax IOCL HPCL Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Pvt. Ltd Unilever Shree Cement | Power and Energy Boiler Chimneys Storage Silos Prefabricated structures Industrial structural fabrication services Roofing shed Structural Shed |
Some of the top Structural fabricators on our platform are
Shiv Industries
Shiv Industries specializes in the fabrication, installation, erection, and commissioning of pre-engineered buildings, roof sheets, and turbo ventilators. Product offerings include solid polycarbonate sheets, turbo ventilators, motorized roof exhaust fans, pre-engineered buildings, and color-coated roof sheets. They cater to various locations and industries, providing high-quality solutions for building and roofing needs.
G.M. Engineers & Fabricators Pvt Ltd.
G.M. Engineers & Fabricators Pvt Ltd. specializes in machining, fabrication, and the manufacture and supply of steel bridges, material handling equipment, gears, EOT cranes, pre-engineering buildings, and industrial chains & sprockets. Their product range includes glass bottle moulds, heavy fabrication and machining work, steel bridges, pre-engineering buildings, gears, EOT cranes, and industrial chains and sprockets, offering comprehensive solutions to meet various industry needs.
Mount Roofing and Structures India Pvt Ltd
Mount Roofing and Structures India Pvt. Ltd. specializes in the fabrication, manufacture, supply, and installation of insulated panels and pre-engineered buildings. Their product offerings include Pur-e Roof Panels, Pur-e Panels, Pur-e Wall Panels, and PEB Structures. With a commitment to quality and efficiency, we provide comprehensive solutions to meet the insulation and construction needs of our clients.
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